Rating: 
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: This anthology includes writers of romance and of sf/fantasy contributing stories which blend the genres.
Like other reviewers, I picked it up mainly for the Bujold story. (Don't any of these other writers have fans?) But I also read the rest, and there were some interesting finds.
Bujold's entry is the first and best, with several familiar characters from Miles's Free Dendarii days showing up at Vorkosigan House as guests at his wedding. It's a blast for established fans like myself, but I have my doubts that it would work for somebody unfamiliar with the characters.
Putney's story is about a secret society of mages who work to protect England facing the Spanish Armada. The characters lacked real depth, hard to create in such a short space. But the idea was interesting. Putney is working on a novel, probably ultimately a series, on the same concept, and this was good enough that I'll want to check out the novel.
I've read one of Asaro's Skolian Empire novels and it didn't impress me, perhaps because I started in the middle of the series. But the story here, also from that universe, didn't work either. One problem was that she didn't really use the Skolian setting - with very minor changes, this could have been a traditional romance in a medieval setting. The basic story - a character from an aristocratic house flees an arranged marriage for true love - is too familiar, and there wasn't enough different in this version to make it fresh. And the main characters were too young, only about 13. That was a problem because they didn't act it - they seemed more like about 17 - and it also undermined the whole story. It really doesn't make a lot of sense for characters so young to make such huge decisions even for their own lives, much less when they could affect many others.
Deb Stover's story of a man reincarnated as a woman to repair some of the damage he did in life just didn't work for me. But Jo Beverly's story of a colony world threatened by a mysterious native life form did - it actually used SF elements more than others in the book. At least it seemed to - in retrospect, both the alien threat and the methods used against it were so vaguely explained that the story was in some ways more of a fantasy. These stories are the book's most original, going for something more innovative than the standard boy-meets-girl formula of the romance.
Jennifer Roberson was the other writer in this collection whose work I've read previously and wasn't impressed by. The story here, while it manages the tricky feat of uniting the two most famous legends of early England, Robin Hood and the Arthurian cycle, in one short story, didn't change my mind.
Rating:
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: This anthology includes writers of romance and of sf/fantasy contributing stories which blend the genres.Like other reviewers, I picked it up mainly for the Bujold story. (Don't any of these other writers have fans?) But I also read the rest, and there were some interesting finds. Bujold's entry is the first and best, with several familiar characters from Miles's Free Dendarii days showing up at Vorkosigan House as guests at his wedding. It's a blast for established fans like myself, but I have my doubts that it would work for somebody unfamiliar with the characters. Putney's story is about a secret society of mages who work to protect England facing the Spanish Armada. The characters lacked real depth, hard to create in such a short space. But the idea was interesting. Putney is working on a novel, probably ultimately a series, on the same concept, and this was good enough that I'll want to check out the novel. I've read one of Asaro's Skolian Empire novels and it didn't impress me, perhaps because I started in the middle of the series. But the story here, also from that universe, didn't work either. Ome problem was that she didn't really use the Skolian setting - with very minor changes, this could have been a traditional romance in a medieval setting. The basic story - a character flees an arranged marriage for true love - is too familiar, and there wasn't enough different in this version to make it fresh. And the main characters were too young, only about 13. That was a problem because they didn't act it - they seemed more like about 17 - and it also undermined the whole story. It really doesn't make a lot of sense for characters so young to make such huge decisions even for their own lives, much less when they could affect many others. Deb Stover's story of a man reincarnated as a woman to repair some of the damage he did in life just didn't work for me. But Jo Beverly's story of a colony world threatened by a mysterious native life form did - it actually used SF elements more than others in the book. At least it seemed to - in retrospect, both the alien threat and the methods used against it were so vaguely explained that the story was in some ways more of a fantasy. Jennifer Roberson was the other writer in this collection whose work I've read previously and wasn't impressed by. The story here, while it manages the tricky feat of uniting the two most famous legends of early England, Robin Hood and the Arthurian cycle, in one short story, didn't change my mind.
Rating: 
Summary: A range of delights
Review: This anthology turned out to be very good. The stories cover a range of topics and styles and are worth the read. Winterfair Gifts: Bujold. I haven't read a lot of Bujold, but this will inspire me to read more. It is a science fiction romp and good fun. It's clear a lot is going on with the world and universe Bujold has created and many more characters to get to know. The two romantic leads, Roic and Taura, are great. I really liked the author's style in telling a story. The Alchemical Marriage: Putney. This story is very different from the first. It is a historical fantasy with mages who fight the Spanish Armada with weather magic. Putney pulled me in right away, with the hero initially imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1588. I wanted to meet more of these two mages. I'm curious to know more about the weather magic, too. Stained Glass Heart: Asaro. This is probably my favorite, if I had to pick. It is science fiction, though with a little the feel of fantasy. It charms in its evocation of first love, which is complicated by an unexpected arranged marriage. The turn-about is well done, with the young groom betrothed to older powerful bride. I didn't want to story to end. Skin Deep: Stover. What fun! Another change of pace, a modern fantasy about a detective who goes undercover as a male stripper. Meanwhile, the former love of the heroine (a cad) has to earn his place in heaven by helping her straighten out her love life with the detective. To his dismay, the cad comes back as a woman. Many delightful hijinks follow. The Trouble With Heroes: Beverley. This is a powerful story and the most in depth. What happens after the war is won and the hero wants to come home, but his people fear him? The story gripped me from the start. Beverley's portrayal of the complex responses of the towspeople works. This is the first of her science fiction I have read, and I hope to read more. Shadows in the Woods: Roberson. Another change, like finding new delecacies in a box of Godiva chocolate. This is a fantasy about Robin Hood and Marian becoming entangled with Merlin the wizard. Roberson handles the juxtaposition of the two legends beautifully. I also liked her portrayal of the matured Robin and Marian. It is a lovely way to finish a wonderful anthology. I give this anthology a high recommendation. If you enjoy science fiction and fantasy with romantic overtones, it is unbeatable.
Rating:
Summary: The long-awaited missing chapter in the Vorkosigan series!
Review: This science fiction/romance anthology starts out with a bang, with the long-awaited tale of the wedding of Lord Miles Vorkosigan and Ekaterin Vorsoisson, "Winterfair Gifts", by Lois McMaster Bujold. Told from the perspective of loyal Armsman Roic, a wedding is prepared, a disaster is narrowly averted, and a delicate relationship unfolds, all in the space of a few winter days. Existing fans of the Vorkosigan series should not be disappointed, and new fans will still have surprises in store with the rest of the series. This book would be worth buying for this tale alone. The book features other stories, such as the passionate "The Alchemical Marriage", by Mary Jo Putney. That story is a delight, featuring the two unlikely magicians who can prevent the Spanish Armada's invasion -- if only they can join their powers. This, too, is a story that's worth the book. Not all the stories live up to the standards of the first two, but the book finishes on a strong note with Jennifer Roberson's "Shadows in the Wood," a Robin Hood tale with a twist.
Rating:
Summary: The long-awaited missing chapter in the Vorkosigan series!
Review: This science fiction/romance anthology starts out with a bang, with the long-awaited tale of the wedding of Lord Miles Vorkosigan and Ekaterin Vorsoisson, "Winterfair Gifts", by Lois McMaster Bujold. Told from the perspective of loyal Armsman Roic, a wedding is prepared, a disaster is narrowly averted, and a delicate relationship unfolds, all in the space of a few winter days. Existing fans of the Vorkosigan series should not be disappointed, and new fans will still have surprises in store with the rest of the series. This book would be worth buying for this tale alone. The book features other stories, such as the passionate "The Alchemical Marriage", by Mary Jo Putney. That story is a delight, featuring the two unlikely magicians who can prevent the Spanish Armada's invasion -- if only they can join their powers. This, too, is a story that's worth the book. Not all the stories live up to the standards of the first two, but the book finishes on a strong note with Jennifer Roberson's "Shadows in the Wood," a Robin Hood tale with a twist.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: What a disappointment! I was looking for a little romance in these stories but failed to find any. They are bland, trite, attempts at writing futuristic stories with unpronounceable names and places. I am a fan of Jo Beverley but feel she fell short in her writing skills with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing! A mistake for Putney and Beverley
Review: With talents such as Mary Jo Putney and Jo Beverley on board, this should have been an enjoyable and entertaining read. Instead, I was bored stupid. I've never read anything by Bujold before, and never will again after her contribution to this anthology. I couldn't read past the first dozen pages - the story was dull and the writing poor. The continual asides to the reader also irritated me. Putney's contribution was far from her best, and Asaro - another writer I hadn't come across before - did nothing for me. Beverley's piece had promise, but half the time it was very difficult to work out what was supposed to be going on, and while I did like Jen and Dan, there was far too little romance to suit me. As for the final piece, about Robin of Locksley and Marian, that was simply a waste of pages. The only story with any real merit in this anthology was Jennifer Roberson's tale of a dead man sent back to Earth to help his widow fall back in love with the man she'd loved and lost before he married her. I did enjoy that, but wanted a happy ending for Nick too. This anthology isn't worth its purchase price, however, with only one halfway decent story in the entire collection.
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